Exposed

Laughing Gateshead newsagent raider Liam Smith is jailed for three years

Liam Smith openly laughed as the court heard how his victim had been left traumatised after his attempted robbery of a Gateshead newsagent

Liam Smith who has been jailed for three years

A raider who laughed on hearing how he left his victim traumatised has been jailed.

Liam Smith smirked and openly laughed when a court was told how his attempted robbery at a Gateshead newsagent’s had left the lone female worker having nightmares and living in fear.

Shirtless Smith, 21, burst into Martin’s newsagent in Oakfield Road, Whickham, knocking over a lottery stand before walking behind the counter and pushing his hand into the face of terrified worker Lisa Thirkell.

The raider then screamed at Ms Thirkell “give me the money; get the cash out; get the till open”.

The attempted robbery was only stopped when a customer came in the shop, realised what was happening and shouted “get off her” before wrestling Smith to the ground.